Gluten Free Monster Cookie No Bake Energy Balls

If you need a delicious, filling, nutritious snack that's also simple to make, you need these Gluten Free Monster Cookie Balls! They're the perfect on the go snack or after school easy snack for kids.

This post is sponsored by ALDI.

When the kids go back to school, you might be looking for a home-run after school snack. Or, you might be tired of spending big bucks on cookie dough texture protein bars. If this is you, then this simple recipe for Gluten Free Monster Cookie Balls is what you've been looking for.

This was inspired by my kids and this recipe for Blueberry Coconut Energy Bites.

Jump to:

• Simple Ingredients
• Instructions
• Substitutions
• Variations
• Equipment
• Storage
• Top tip
• Recipe

Simple Ingredients

The best news about this gluten free peanut butter energy balls recipe is that it uses normal, high quality, affordable, wholesome ingredients that you can easily find at your local grocery store.

• Garbanzo Beans
• Natural Creamy Peanut butter
• Vanilla Protein Powder (optional)
• Honey
• Rolled Oats (not quick oats)
• Trail Mix with Chocolate Morsels
• Mini Semi Sweet Morsels

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Here are the step by step instructions for these no bake treats:

In a food processor bowl, add beans, peanut butter, protein powder, and honey.

Pulse until sandy and well blended (may form a soft ball of dough), about 60-90 seconds. Scrape down the sides of the bowl at least once halfway through. 

Pour bean mixture into a large mixing bowl. Add the oats, trail mix and morsels. Stir to combine.

Scoop a ping pong size of dough into your hands and gently squeeze into balls. The mixture may be too crumbly to roll between your palms but will come together when gently squeezed.

Continue making balls until all the dough has been used.

Substitutions

These Gluten Free Monster Cookie Balls can be easily adapted to fit other needs.

• Nut Butter - instead of peanut butter you can use any type of nut butter or sunflower seed butter.
• Protein Powder - use any protein powder you would like (I think vanilla flavor works best) or omit it altogether. You can also add 2 scoops of powder to up the protein.
• Chocolate - the trail mix can be swapped out for any nut and dried fruit mix or use a vegan or dairy free chocolate if needed.

With these variations you can make this recipe nut allergy and dairy allergy friendly. Also be sure to get certified gluten-free oats if you have a gluten allergy.

Variations

There are many ways you can adjust this easy recipe to have endless flavor options.

• Hazelnut - use chocolate hazelnut butter for a deluxe, desert-like version
• No nuts - use more dried fruit or sesame seeds instead of trail mix
• Antioxidant boost - use a ½ cup each blend of shelled pistachios and mixed dried berries

See this Blueberry Coconut Energy Balls recipe for a berry snack bite idea.

Equipment

The most important piece of equipment for this recipe is a food processor. You might be able to get away with a blender, but I can't promise the best results. My favorite food processor is this Cuisinart 14-cup because I never have overflow problems.

If you need more reasons to buy a food processor, check out these recipes that rely on it: Roasted Carrot and Ranch Hummus, Honey Drizzled Roasted Garlic Hummus, Green Healthy Hummus Recipe, and Roasted Okra with Smoky Red Pepper Ricotta.

I also love using a trigger cookie dough scoop to make these. I use this small cookie scoop for so many things; it's a very worthy purchase in my opinion.

Storage

These Gluten Free Monster Cookie Balls will store beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 1 week. While I don't know for sure, I think you could probably freeze these too, then thaw in the fridge.

Top tip

Customize this go-to snack by using your favorite mix-ins like any type of nut or dried fruit, favorite trail mix, etc.

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Recipe

For more no bake recipes that make a great afternoon snack, try these No Bake Pumpkin Balls and Strawberry Vanilla Overnight Oats.